Deceive

Part of Speech

Verb

Pronunciation

/dɪˈsiːv/

Definitions

• To cause someone to believe something that is not true.
• To mislead or trick through dishonesty or concealment.
• To fail to fulfill hopes or expectations.

Usage Examples

• He tried to deceive his friends by pretending to be rich.
• The magician's tricks deceive the audience into believing the impossible.
• She felt deceived when she learned the truth about his past.

Etymology

From Old French deceveir, from Latin decipere (to ensnare, cheat), formed from de- (down, away) and capere (to take).

Synonyms

• Mislead
• Trick
• Cheat
• Delude
• Defraud

Antonyms

• Inform
• Clarify
• Reveal
• Enlighten
• Disclose

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• British English: /dɪˈsiːv/
• American English: /dɪˈsiːv/

Historical Usage

The concept of deception has been widely discussed in literature, philosophy, and religion for centuries, often linked to morality and ethics.

Cultural Nuances

In some cultures, deception is strongly condemned, while in others, it is seen as an accepted strategy in business, politics, or survival tactics.

More Information

Deception has been a subject of study in psychology and law enforcement, particularly in the analysis of body language and speech patterns to detect dishonesty.